Water Compliance Sampling List via Automated Regulatory Data Scraping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water utilities face challenges in adhering to complex sampling regulations, leading to violations due to failure to collect or report samples correctly, as there is no efficient way to track compliance with existing methods.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a graphical user interface that scrapes data from state water regulatory websites, compares sampling data with compliance criteria, and generates a sorted list indicating time-to-sample values, allowing users to prioritize sampling tasks and ensure compliance with regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water utilities manually check websites and navigate through multiple pages to gather sampling data, then they can obtain compliance information, but the process requires excessive user input and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of compliance monitoringVSAvoidtime to gather sampling data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically scraping sampling data from regulatory websites and pre-processing it into a structured format. The compliance status and time-to-sample calculations are prepared in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate and gather data when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the regulatory website and the water utility users. This intermediary automatically retrieves, processes, and presents compliance information in a user-friendly format, shielding users from the complexity of manual data gathering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If water utilities manually review sampling requirements across multiple web pages, then they can identify compliance status, but network traffic and data retrieval overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance information retrievalVSAvoidnetwork traffic for data retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple data retrieval operations into a single comprehensive scrape. Instead of making separate network requests for different sampling requirements, the system combines all necessary data collection into one efficient operation, reducing overall network traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compliance data is scraped and processed in advance before being stored and made available to users. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated network requests when users need to check compliance status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If water utilities use existing manual methods to track sampling compliance, then they can monitor their status, but the complexity of regulations leads to failures in collection and reporting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance adherenceVSAvoidcomplexity of sampling regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex compliance requirements into individual, manageable components. Each sampling requirement is broken down into discrete elements that can be independently tracked, making the overall complex regulation easier to monitor and adhere to.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by providing real-time compliance status updates and alerts. Users receive immediate feedback about their compliance standing, allowing them to take corrective actions before violations occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If water utilities navigate through multiple forms and pages to review sampling results, then they can access detailed information, but the user input required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling data accessibilityVSAvoiduser input required

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a simplified copy or representation of the complex regulatory data. Instead of requiring users to interact with the original complex web forms and pages, the system generates an accessible copy that presents the same information in a user-friendly format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20240428350A1System and methods for water testing compliance

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 TOMEA LLC

AI summary

A method for creating a user interface for state water regulations is provided. The method includes scraping a server hosting a state water regulatory website for sampling data for each of a plurality of compliance requirements for a particular public water system. For each of the plurality of compliance requirements, the method includes comparing the sampling data for the respective compliance requirement with sampling criteria associated defined under the respective compliance requirement and determining a time-to-sample value for the respective compliance requirement. The method includes generating a sorted sampling list for the particular public water system comprising a plurality of entries, each entry comprising an indication of a different compliance requirement and the time-to-sample value for the respective compliance requirement. The method includes outputting, for output via a display device, at least a portion of the sorted sampling list in a graphical user interface.